StaffCentral
Don’t Let History Repeat Itself Now that camp is over, it is important to thoroughly review the past summer with as many stakeholders as possible to ensure next year is an even better one
By Marc Hoberman
IS MORE. The length of your question is not important; the length of the answer IS!
6. You need to have “thick skin” and an open mind if you are going to move for- ward with this very important process. Firstly, many people have their own agen- das and their ideas don’t always represent the average person in their position — their ideas often represent their own inter- ests. You have to go into this process knowing that you can’t fix everything, but you will have an enormous knowl- edge base about each facet of your camp.
7. Don’t just ask for good, bad, etc. Ask for ideas. As daunting as this may sound, most feedback can be gathered, studied and discussed in a matter of weeks.
8. Make it known when you use the feedback to make important changes. People should know their voices are not only heard, but that taken seriously.
A
lthough imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, imitating what you do one summer to the next can be the sincerest form of monotony! This is why it is imperative for camp directors to be able to reflect on the sum- mer in an open and constructive way. The fact of the matter is that camp directors do not always get the feedback they should from parents after the sum- mer has finished; as such, they should not assume that camp was an awesome expe- rience just because no major complaints were heard. Clearly, an effective and well thought out plan for reviewing the sum- mer can only enhance your future sum- mer camp program. Below are some help- ful hints to assist you in implementing an effective feedback policy:
1. Involve as many people as possible. You have a better chance of getting a more precise overview of what worked well and what did not if you include as many camp stakeholders as possible: bus drivers, maintenance, kitchen staff, coun- sellors, group leaders, campers, parents, and anyone else you can think of.
6 Canada Camps Fall 2010
2. The director, head counsellor or lead administrator does NOT need to be at every feedback meeting. One person from your administrative team is all that should be needed to facilitate a helpful discussion. He or she can then report back to the director and decide on an improvement plan.
3. Sessions must be interactive. Use poster-board, PowerPoint, butcher block paper, colourful markers, and whatever else you need to highlight all information given. Snacks are also a nice touch.
4. Use each and every type of correspon- dence available to you. These include meetings, e-mails, letters, social media and phone calls. Surveys are an excellent way to receive feedback, but make sure they are not too generic. They should be specific as to the job the person has at camp or the person’s involvement.
5. You must have an effective matrix or measurement tool. There is no reason to get bogged down by minutiae. Remember that when it comes to asking for feedback, LESS
9. Meet with senior staff members and other camp hierarchy before beginning the process. They must know how open you are to hearing the feedback and that this will make the camp better each year. If they are not candid with the adminis- tration of the camp, then you might have to examine how approachable your administrators really are.
10. Improving your camp each year makes things fresh and better. This does not mean that everything has to be changed; however, if we do not study history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Also, it is impossible to know every- thing that goes on in camp without the help of others. Enlist the assistance of your clients and employees and your efforts will be rewarded!
CC
Marc Hoberman is the owner and direc- tor of Grade Success (
www.grade-suc-
cessinc.com), a premier camp training service provider that has been facilitating workshops, seminars and courses since 1985. Its services include local and long- distance camp consulting on the phone, in person and in webinar. Marc can be reached at
info@gradesuccessinc.com.
Photo: Seneca - King Day Camp
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